"This morning."

"By whom?"

"By a pale and thin young man, of about twenty-two."

"And wherefore did you give it up to him?"

"Because he showed me an order, signed and sealed."

"By whom?"

"By the gentlemen of the Town-hall."

"Well, then," said Cornelius calmly, "our doom seems to be
fixed."

"Do you know whether the same precaution has been taken at
the other gates?"

"I do not."

"Now then," said John to the coachman, "God commands man to
do all that is in his power to preserve his life; go, and
drive to another gate."

And whilst the servant was turning round the vehicle the
Grand Pensionary said to the gatekeeper, --